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GEO Asks EPA for Energy Efficiency

Aug. 17 – The Geothermal Exchange Organization (GEO) has signed on to a letter to the U.S. Environ-mental Protection Agency from the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) that promotes energy efficiency as a vital component of the agency’s Clean Energy Incentive Program (CEIP). The letter says that the pool of credits that is made available by EPA for clean energy resources should be expanded to include energy efficiency.

“Recognizing the importance of the CEIP as an opportunity to spur early investment in low-cost emission reduction strategies, we recommend that the Renewable Energy Reserve (RER) be expanded to include energy efficiency policies and measures,” said the letter to EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy.

“Energy efficiency is a zero-emission and least-cost option for states to use in complying with the Clean Power Plan. The letter points out that energy efficiency meets EPA’s four criteria that renewable energy technologies must meet to qualify for 1:1 credit, including:

Zero-emitting resource;

Essential to longer term climate strategies;

Counteract the potential shift in investment from renewable energy to natural gas in the lead-up to the start of the interim performance period; and

Requires investment and deployment lead times of relatively shorter duration.

“We recommend that early investments in energy efficiency receive at least the same incentive as early investments in renewable energy. This can be achieved by expanding the scope of the RER so that, like all renewables, all early investment in energy efficiency can receive allowances or emission rate credits (ERCs) with a federal match at a ratio of 1:1.” Read the letter here. (ACEEE and GEO)